THE ENGLISH LIBERALS.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXI, Issue 239, 12 October 1896, Page 2

THE ENGLISH LIBERALS.

LORD ROSEBERY'S RESIGNATION. A GREAT MEETING. ' VIEWS ON THE EASTERN QUESTION. [UNITED IWEBB ASSOCIATION.] London, October 9. In the course of an interview, Lord Rosebery, referring to his resignation of the Liberal leadership said the situation had been untenable for some time and he had determined to resign after Mr Gladstone's attitude on the Eastern question. Fully 12,000 were unable to gain admission at the meeting addressed by Lord Rosebery. Many prominent Liberals urge his Lordship /not to retire. October 10. . Lord Rosebery addressed a public meeting at Edinburgh last night. There was an immense gathering, and the speaker received a great ovation. Among those on the platform were Mr Asquith, late Home Secretary, Mr Bryce, ex-President of the Board of Trade, Mr Fowler, ex-Secretary of State for India, Mr Arnold Morley, ex-Postmaster General, and Mr John B. Balfour, ex -Lord Advocate for Scotland, besides many Liberal members of the House of Commons,*. His Lordship delivered a wonderful speech, which was received yfith great enthusiasm. Referring to the Eastern question he warmly remarked that m the matter of reform Armenia needed guidance not stimulus, and he passed unmeasured censure on the Sultan and the ruffianly Kurds. The remedy, he said, whatever shape it was to take, must cover the entire Eastern question. Many of the suggested remedies were futile, and to his mind dangeious, and he disagreed with all those proposed by Mr Gladstone. The suggested deposition of the Sultan was illusory, and to recall the British Ambassador would be unwise. That would be a great affront, and be a help m the drift of war. It would be useless to threaten the Sultan, and then withdraw from the position. He discouraged the transfer of Turkey to Russia, but was willing to surrender Cyprus to anyone except Turkey, if it was likely to secure concerted action m settling the difficulty. He combatted the opinion that the Powers were determined to fight if Great Britain acted alone, and at the same time he doubted whether the colonies were enthused with the war spirit. The Armenians more probably were like Americans, and would prefer diplomaoy m the redress of their grievances, which was not vital to themselves. Concerted action was, he said, the only panacea for the Eastern question, and it was impossible to long postpone action. The House and the Peers were impatient on the matter, but averse to taking action unless vigorously supported inside and outside Parliament. To Mr Gladstone he gave the coup de grace, because he never desired to appear m sharp conflict with his venerated friend. He said he had received a long and affectionate letter from Mr Gladstone on the matter, and m concluding he thanked his colleagues with whom he had been associated m the leadership of the party. He specially mentioned Mr Asquith, and the latter m reply, said Lord Rosebery had supreme claims to the leadership, and was the only successor of Mr Gladstone. A vote of confidence was passed, and his Lordship was asked: to reconsider his decision. Lord Rosebery said he had resigned after mature reflection, and he considered the step necessary. The speech is considered as likely to seriously embarrass Sir W. V. Harcourt 1 s position. Lord Rosebery said ever since the elections his colleagues had held his resignation.